Photo Essay: Looking back at the 2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

All was quiet outside the team buses near the start house of the individual time trial in Lyon while the riders were out on a recon lap of the 10.4-kilometer stage 1 course. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Zdenek Stybar (Omega-Pharma-Quick-Step) put out a big effort into his stage 1 time trial warmup, indicating he was looking for a solid performance in the Dauphine that will hopefully secure a spot on the team's Tour lineup. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Against a backdrop of new construction, the stage 1 finish in Lyon was lined with fans in an area that the city is actively trying to rebuild and revitalize. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

At the finish line, many riders — like Jens Voigt of Trek Factory Racing — showed signs of racing against a strong headwind and the searing heat that played a large part in the Dauphine time trial. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

This was a typical sight throughout the week of the Critérium du Dauphiné: Chris Froome surrounded by his Sky teammates and followed closely by Alberto Contador's loyal squad. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

After an aggressive attack by Chris Froome with 5km to go in the second stage, Alberto Contador held tight to his wheel up the Col du Béal with Vincenzo Nibali, Andrew Talansky, and Jurgen Van Den Broek not far behind. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Leopold Konig finished in the top 20 on stage 2 to give his wildcard team, NetApp-Endura a respectable showing amongst the big UCI WorldTour teams, but the heat and severity of the climb took a toll on the Czech rider. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Strong crosswinds midway through stage 3 had the bunch all strung out through the Haute-Loire countryside near Mars, where the race arrived a full hour behind schedule. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Tejay Van Garderen (BMC Racing) and Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) tried to escape the peloton in search of time as they crest the Col de Manse before descending into Gap for the finish of stage 4. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

The familiar and legendary voice of Daniel Mageas echoed through the finish area of stage 4 in Gap — he plans to retire this year after the Tour de France. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Eventual stage winner Simon Spilak of Katusha charged up the final climb of stage 5 near the summit of the Côte de Laffrey with the chase in hot pursuit. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Alberto Contador kept the race exciting by attacking on the descent of the Col de la Morte, where he held a one-minute advantage over Chris Froome on the Côte de Laffrey during stage 5. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Breakaway companions Jan Bakelants (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step) and Lieuwe Westra (Astana) got a little too close for comfort with the barriers as they sprinted for the stage win in Poisy on Stage 6. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

The race was far from decided as the two-man breakaway of Yury Trofimov and Egor Silin crossed the 2km mark up the hors categorie climb to Finhaut-Emosson during stage 7. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

One of the early breakaway riders, Lieuwe Westra (Astana) was caught and dropped with several kilometers to go but surprised everyone by surging past the leading pair from Katusha to win stage 7 to Finhaut-Emosson. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

The leaders of the Critérium du Dauphiné lined up in Megéve for the final stage of the race and a close battle between Alberto Contador and Chris Froome, with only 8 seconds between them. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp) started the final stage in third place but rolled the dice with an early breakaway and was helped by teammate Ryder Hesjedal. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Andrew Talansky gave it his all right up until the finish line, not knowing if he had taken back enough time to claim the overall victoy on stage 8 in Courchevel. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Andrew Talansky was in disbelief and became overcome with tears after the biggest win of his career. He is now a favorite at the upcoming Tour de France. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

Chris Froome came across the line minutes after Talansky took the yellow jersey in Courchevel, dropping to 12th in the GC standings at nearly five minutes back. Photo: BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com

2014 Criterium du Dauphine

BrakeThrough Media

Iri Greco and Jim Fryer are the creative team behind BrakeThrough Media. Traveling the globe, BrakeThrough Media documents the race inside and all around the biggest bike races in the world. Greco is a former chef, food stylist, and TV producer; Fryer a former bike racer, bike shop owner, cycling apparel manufacturer, and sports marketing professional. The tandem has contributed photography and video content to VeloNews.com for half a decade, and contributes to brands including Specialized and SRAM.